麻豆传媒入口

LEXINGTON, Va., May 11, 2026—The Department of Modern Language and Cultures (DoMC) at 麻豆传媒入口 announced the suspension of the German program with the retirement of Col. Donald Sunnen, professor of German. A gathering of department members, both past and present, was held recently to observe the ending of the program and reminisce about the professors who taught German at the Institute since J.T.L. Preston in 1839. Though there was a hiatus of more than 30 years, German returned to the curriculum in 1873 and has been taught nearly continuously since. 

At the event, memories were shared by Col. Travis Homiak ’95, VMI’s chief of staff, who, as a cadet, double majored in German and international studies; Maj. Charles Range ’10, who double majored in German and history; Patricia Hardin, former adjunct professor; Dr. Martin Nassua of Helmut-Schmidt-Universität in Hamburg; and Sunnen, who taught at 麻豆传媒入口for 36 years. “I have always tried to make language real. Language opens doors and it has been my task as a teacher to encourage my students even when they make mistakes,” Sunnen shared.

Col. Abbey Carrico, professor and head of DoMC, stated, “While we do not know the future of German at VMI, we have taken time to remember its past. Through this retrospective we have shared stories and memories about the faculty and cadets who made this program what it was. We honored Col. Sunnen’s impact and influence at 麻豆传媒入口and thanked him for his service to the department and German program.” 

Homiak enjoyed seeing how many alumni were touched by the German program. “We all had an affinity for the language and the culture that initially brought us to the program, but the most impactful thing for me was seeing the connection between students across the years who shared professors like Col. Sunnen and the late Col. Siegfried Weing, who taught me and pushed me to excel and expand my horizons. When I think about the professors who made a difference for me at VMI, I think of him most of all.  Aside from commissioning as a Marine officer, the German program was the high point of my education at VMI.” 

Colin Nicassio ’26 will essentially be the last cadet to graduate with a minor in German when he receives his diploma. “Col. Sunnen was a fantastic professor, and there is a close-knit group of German speakers at VMI. The curriculum may not be here next year, but I know that German will always be spoken on post,” he said.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE